Chronic Health Problems in Teens

Chronic health problems during the teen years can often complicate physical and emotional development.

Illness, injury, medical treatments, hospitalization, and surgeries related to chronic illness can cause a teen to worry even more about his or her physical appearance. They can also interfere with a teen's desire to be independent. It also affects a teen's relationships with parents and friends. A teen with a chronic health issue may struggle to cope with illness and response to treatment.

The main focus of the specialty of adolescent medicine involves addressing the health needs of the adolescent's illness, condition, or injury. Adolescent medicine also anticipates and assesses developmental complications associated with the health care needs of the specific medical problem. Doctors and other health care providers in adolescent medicine help adolescents and their families in developing strategies to deal with chronic health issues.